Returning to the Biblical Text and Gospel Message

The concept of "returning to the biblical text and gospel message" encompasses a call for believers to re-engage with foundational Christian doctrines and practices. This return often implies a departure from a state of spiritual decline or deviation from core truths ^[6].

A primary aspect of this return is repentance from "dead works" and renewed "faith in God," which are considered elementary messages about Christ ^{[1, 9]}. The prophet Hosea, for instance, issues a direct call: "Come, let us return to the LORD. For He has torn us to pieces, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bind up our wounds" ^[5]. This passage is interpreted as the words of individuals under God's affliction, acknowledging their sins and seeking pardon, and encouraging one another to do so ^[7]. Similarly, Jacob, after a period of distress, resolves to "arise, and go up to Bethel. I will make there an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me on the way which I went" ^[3]. This act signifies a return to a place of worship and renewed commitment to God.

The "gospel message" itself is built upon fundamental principles. The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is identified as the core of the apostles' preaching and the foundation for confidence in Jesus' return ^[11]. This doctrine is not only central to the New Testament but also has roots in the Old Testament, being expected by Jews and affirmed by Christ himself ^[4]. The author of Hebrews refers to the resurrection of the dead as one of the "first principles" of the gospel, alongside repentance from dead works and faith in God ^{[1, 4]}.

Returning to the gospel message also involves maintaining the "simplicity of the gospel" and avoiding departures from one's "first love" ^[6]. The apostle Jude emphasizes the importance of contending for "the Christian faith" that is truly believed, professed, and propagated, rather than "discriminating badges of this or the other" tradition ^[10]. This suggests a focus on the universal truths of Christianity over sectarian distinctions.

Access to God, a key component of the gospel, is understood to be "of God" and made possible "by Christ" through the Holy Spirit ^[2]. This access is obtained through faith and follows reconciliation with God ^[2]. It is described as a privilege for believers, who can approach God with confidence to obtain mercy and grace ^[2].

The call to return is not merely an individual spiritual exercise but can also be a collective one. The prophet Jeremiah's prayer, "Restore us to favor with Thee, and so we shall be restored to our old position," is interpreted by some as a plea for God to convert His people, leading to both spiritual and temporal blessings ^[12]. This highlights that a return to the biblical text and gospel message can involve a restoration of a community's relationship with God. The concept of God turning to His people with a "pure language" is also associated with the spread of the Gospel, where God changes His speech towards them, and their speech towards Him is also transformed ^[8].

Sources

Hebrews “Hebrews 6:1 (LEB) — Therefore, leaving behind the elementary message about Christ, let us move on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and faith in God,”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Access to God — Is of God -- Ps 65:4. Is by Christ -- Joh 10:7, 9; 14:6; Ro 5:2; Eph 2:13; 3:12; Heb 7:9, 25; 10:19; 1Pe 3:18. Is by the Holy Spirit -- Eph 2:18. Obtained through faith -- Ac 14:27; Ro 5:2; Eph 3:12; Heb 11:6. Follows upon reconciliation to God -- Col 1:21,22. In Prayer -- See Prayer. De 4:7; Mt 6:6; 1Pe 1:17. In his temple -- Ps 15:1; 27:4; 43:3; 65:4. To obtain mercy and grace -- Heb 4:16. A privilege of saints -- De 4:7; Ps 15:1; 23:6; 24:3,4. Saints have, with confidence -- Eph 3:12; Heb 4:16; 10:19,20. Vouchsafed to repenting sinners -- See Repen”
Genesis “Let us arise, and go up to Bethel. I will make there an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me on the way which I went.” -- Genesis 35:3”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Resurrection, The — A doctrine of the Old Testament -- Job 19:26; Ps 16:10; 49:15; Isa 26:19; Da 12:2; Ho 13:14. A first principle of the gospel -- 1Co 15:13,14; Heb 6:1,2. Expected by the Jews -- Joh 11:24; Heb 11:35. Denied by the Sadducees -- Mt 22:23; Lu 20:27; Ac 23:8. Explained away by false teachers -- 2Ti 2:18. Called in question by some in the church -- 1Co 15:12. Is not incredible -- Mr 12:24; Ac 26:8. Is not contrary to reason -- Joh 12:24; 1Co 15:35-49. Assumed and proved by our Lord -- Mt 22:29-32; Lu 14:14; Joh 5:28,29. Preached by the Apostles -- Ac 4:”
Hosea “Hosea 6:1 (BSB) — Come, let us return to the LORD. For He has torn us to pieces, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bind up our wounds.”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Backsliding — Is turning from God -- 1Ki 11:9. Is leaving the first love -- Re 2:4. Is departing form the simplicity of the gospel -- 2Co 11:3; Ga 3:1-3; 5:4,7. God is displeased at -- Ps 78:57,59. Warnings against -- Ps 85:8; 1Co 10:12. Guilt and consequences of -- Nu 14:43; Ps 125:5; Isa 59:2,9-11; Jer 5:6; 8:5,13; 15:6; Lu 9:62. Brings its own punishment -- Pr 14:14; Jer 2:19. A haughty spirit leads to -- Pr 16:18. Proneness to -- Pr 24:16; Ho 11:7. Liable to continue and increase -- Jer 8:5; 14:7. Exhortations to return from -- 2Ch 30:6; Isa 31:6; Jer 3:12,14,22;”
Hosea (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hosea 6:1: Come, and let us return unto the Lord,.... The Septuagint and Arabic versions connect these words with the last clause of the preceding chapter, adding the word, "saying"; and so the Targum and Syriac version, "they shall say"; and very rightly as to the sense; for they are the words of those persons under the afflicting hand of God; and, being brought thereby to a sense of their sins, acknowledge them, and seek to the Lord for pardon, and encourage one another so to do; as Israel and Judah will in the latter day, when the veil shall be taken off their minds, the hardne”
Zephaniah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Zephaniah 3:9: For then will I turn to the people a pure language That is, at or about the time of the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans; when the Jews, both in their own land, and in the Gentile world, would have the Gospel first preached to them, but would reject it; upon which the apostles and first ministers of the word would turn to the Gentiles, as the Lord commanded them; when he would turn or change his speech and language towards them, and their speech and language towards him would be turned and changed also: for the words may be taken either way; either of God's sp”
Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 6:1: Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ,.... The Gospel is the doctrine of Christ, and is so called, because Christ, as God, is the author of it; as Mediator, he received it from his Father; as man, he was the preacher of it; and he is also the sum and substance of it: the principles of this doctrine are either the easier parts of the Gospel, called milk in the latter part of the preceding chapter; which are not to be left with dislike and contempt, nor so as to be forgotten, nor so as not to be recurred to at proper times; but so as not to abide in”
Jude (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Jude 1:3: We have here, I. The design of the apostle in writing this epistle to the lately converted Jews and Gentiles; namely, to establish them in the Christian faith, and a practice and conversation truly consonant and conformable thereunto, and in an open and bold profession thereof, especially in times of notorious opposition, whether by artful seduction or violent and inhuman persecution. But then we must see to it very carefully that it be really the Christian faith that we believe, profess, propagate, and contend for; not the discriminating badges of this or the other ”
1 Thessalonians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Thessalonians 1:10: 1:10 The resurrection of Jesus from the dead was the core of the apostles’ preaching (4:14; Acts 2:32; 3:15; 10:40; 13:29-30; 1 Cor 15:3-8) and the foundation for confidence in Jesus’ return (see 1 Thes 5:9; 2 Thes 1:6-10).”
Lamentations (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Lamentations 5:21: (Psa 80:3; Jer 31:18). "Restore us to favor with Thee, and so we shall be restored to our old position" [GROTIUS]. Jeremiah is not speaking of spiritual conversion, but of that outward turning whereby God receives men into His fatherly favor, manifested in bestowing prosperity [CALVIN]. Still, as Israel is a type of the Church, temporal goods typify spiritual blessings; and so the sinner may use this prayer for God to convert him.”

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